The Minnesota Cup Explained

The Minnesota Cup competition allows emerging Minnesota entrepreneurs and start-up companies to compete for the opportunity to meet investors and win prizes, including seed capital.

History

The Minnesota Cup competition^[1] started in 2005 by entrepreneurs Scott Litman and Dan Mallin. The first competition drew 600 entries who competed for $37,500 in prize money and professional services. The second annual competition introduced a student division and began on May 26, 2006.^[2] The competition has grown over time with the top prize increasing to $50,000 in 2008.^[3] In 2009, the competition expanded with the inclusion of categories for High Tech, Clean Tech and Renewable Energy, Social Entrepreneurship and BioSciences to go along with the existing General and Student Divisions. Additionally, prize money grew to $130,000.^[4] In 2016, The prize money for division winners and runners-up was $30,000 and $5,000, respectively. The grand prize winner got additional $50,000.

Winners

• 2005: ArcSwitch, Inc.^[5]
• 2006: Vast Enterprises^[6]
• 2007: Muve Inc.^[7]
• 2008: CoreSpine Technologies^[8]
• 2009: Alvenda Commerce Advertising^[9]
• 2010: EarthClean^[10]
• 2011: AUM Cardiovascular^[11]
• 2012: PreciouStatus
• 2013: Preceptis Medical
• 2014: 75F
• 2015: Astropad
• 2016: Stemonix^[12]
• 2020 Grand Prize: Blue Cube Bio^{[13] [14]}

See also

• OrthoCor (2012), BioScience Division winner^[15]

Notes and References

1. Web site: MN Cup.
2. Suzukamo, Leslie Brooks (2 April 2006), "Prize offered for bright ideas," Pioneer Press (St. Paul) archived on breakthroughideas.org
3. Suzukamo, Leslie Brooks (31 March 2008), "Minnesota Cup doubles top prize to $50,000," Pioneer Press (St. Paul) archived on breakthroughideas.org
4. Grayson, Katharine (30 March 2009), "Minnesota Cup Accepting Entries," Minneapolis/Saint Paul Business Journal (Minneapolis).
5. Diggins, Arthur F. "Breaking New Ground" Twin Cities Business Magazine, archived at breakthroughideas.org
6. Kennedy, Patrick (8 September 2006), "Eden Prairie paver firm wins innovation prize", Star Tribune (Minneapolis) archived at breakthroughideas.org
7. Johnson, Adam (12 September 2007), "Minnesota Cup Winner Thinks it Has a Better Idea For Weight Loss" Finance and Commerce archived at breakthroughideas.org
8. http://www.tcbmag.com/superstars/superstars/107917p1.aspx Minnesota Cup 2008: Breakthrough Entrepreneurs
9. http://www.tcbmag.com/superstars/superstars/125231p1.aspx Minnesota Cup 2009: Most Promising Entrepreneurs
10. Web site: Christa. Meland. EarthClean Corp. Wins 2010 Minnesota Cup. TwinCities Business. 24 September 2010. 7 August 2015.
11. Web site: Past Winners. Anonymous. 2014-12-08. Carlson School of Management. 2016-04-27.
12. Web site: Stemonix, a stem cell research firm, wins Minnesota Cup competition. Star Tribune.
13. Web site: Past Winners. Anonymous. Carlson School of Management.
14. Web site: BlueCube Bio Awarded the 2020 Minnesota Cup Grand Prize. University Enterprise Laboratories (UEL).
15. News: 2012 Minnesota Cup Division Winners Announcement.